[sword-devel] Cool idea: Commercial Linux /Windows Bible program based on Sword

[Paul Gear]

Kirt Christensen wrote:
> ...
> There are other versions that the Holy Spirit can speak through if an
> individual can't afford $20 for an electronic copy.  After all, if that was
> his last $20 he would have the inconvenience of having to chose between the
> scriptures and a months Internet Service.  Its quite a sacrifice, so is the
> gospel and its ministry.  Zondervan is a business.  Go around it and do what
> you can to deliver what you have to the people who are hungry.  Other
> versions have and will get the job done.  In 50 years, the Nearly Inspired
> Version's availability will have been inconsequential in the overall plan
> that God has for using the work of the SWORD Project.
> ...

I think you're understating the NIV's value and impact upon the
Christian community in the last quarter of the 20th century.  In 25
years or so it sold more copies than the KJV did in 350 years.  I think
it was more than just marketing that was responsible for that.

I think we need to distinguish between Zondervan, the _distributors_ of
the NIV, and the International Bible Society and the men of God who
translated it.  Sure, Zondervan's licensing arrangements are
restrictive, and yes, everyone knows they are in it for profit, not
service, but that doesn't taint the version itself.  I mean, calling it
the biblical equivalent of McDonalds (McBible? ;-) is a but much, isn't
it?

However, i do agree with your conclusions.  We simply should cut our
losses and try to get our hands on the best free content we can.

Bryan Fordham wrote:
> ...
> When this list returns to discussion of the development of Sword (anyone
> else remember that?) let me know.  Till then I'm tightening my killfile.

We're talking about a pretty serious issue for Sword development (i.e.
the use of commercial texts), and i do think it is still relevant here. 
Maybe not interesting to everybody, but certainly relevant.

Paul
---------
"He must become greater; i must become less." - John 3:30
http://www.bigfoot.com/~paulgear